Dust is a downer for more than one reason. It can exacerbate hay fever and bring on respiratory symptoms for those who have asthma. You’ll breathe easier once you’ve banished particles and allergens from a specific area. You’ll also enjoy the added pleasure that comes from seeing a newly clean object!

Yeah, I could stand to do this.

Hello Mountain Lion! Well, Not For Me (Yet)
Yesterday was the release date for Apple’s latest Mac operating system — OS X Mountain Lion. I have one computer in my stead which is upgradable, but I am going to wait and let others find all of the bugs and pitfalls of Mountain Lion before I make the leap.

I did perform all of the software updates which were made in conjunction with the release of Mountain Lion, however. Playing administrator for my computers cost me a good two hours of yesterday.

ITP Flickr Pic
My final shot from last Friday’s trip to the High Museum
Looks like it’s time for me to pick up the camera again

Changing Plans On A Dime, Well, One Thousand Dimes
A few weeks ago I tried to sign up for a day-long coding retreat to be held this coming Saturday. However, by the time I signed up all of the spaces were filled so I put my name on the waiting list.

Yesterday I received an email alerting me that a space had been made available, and after a few minutes of hesitation, I paid the $10 fee to get in.

Out with the grandiose idea of going up to North Georgia on Saturday for a day of cycling, staying at a hotel, and going to the Ocoee for some photography on Sunday!

In with the nutty idea of spending all day Saturday in Inman Park attending a coding retreat, returning homes Saturday night, and perhaps going for a bike ride on Sunday!

Trying A New Route
This morning I changed my walking game up a bit. I kept my distance about the same, but altered the route to give my round trip a bit of a different feeling. From my office I now have about five routes in the 4-5.5 mile range, which is good because it keeps me from getting bored walking the same route all of the time.

Stats & GoalsDailyCurrent Mood – okay, but I think I might have to get that root canal I’ve been hoping to avoidCurrent Music – silence at the momentWebsite Of The Day – “NERD!” That’s what I shall call myself if I get to attend Cocoa Conf in Raleigh — announced, but no date scheduled as yet.Mode Of Transportation To Work – my carExercise (b)Log – nothingMorning Weigh-In –

July Goals
– Take at least one load of stuff from my house to Goodwill
– Post at least ten new photos during the month (let’s try this again)
– Lose at least two pounds (net weight loss)
– Finish two books (audio or otherwise, comic books do not qualify)
– Exercise for thirty minutes no fewer than twenty days
– Not to get sick for the entire month (may be a moot point as of today)
– Eat vegetarian no fewer than ten days
– Watch all of the classes in the 2011 Winter semester of Stanford’s CS193P (iOS Development) course
– Ride no fewer than 150 miles

2012 Goals [will be a little less fluid than last year]
– Get my weight under 200 pounds, or at least whittle myself back down to where wearing a 36″ pant size is comfortable
– Completely read ten books, audio books permissible
– Run Sharpened Stone as a real business
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop
– Ride in no fewer than five 50 mile or 50K bike rides
– Run in no fewer than one one 10K
– Submit at least one application under the name “Sharpened Stone” to Apple’s iOS store
– Restore the ITP Estate to a condition where it can be put up for sale at any time
– Buy a new iPhone (iPhone 5?), a new iPad (iPad 3?), and MacBook Air [look, not all goals have to be altruistic]

The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient and profitable programmer in Objective-C
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
– Eat smaller portions
– Start, and continue, to make my own bread using my bread machine as well as using the technique outlined in Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
– Read and discard magazines during the month in which they arrive (even digitally)
– See more live concerts than I did in 2011
– Eat more pancakes
– Drive/Fly somewhere for a real vacation

5 Responses to Changes And Updates

Is it suprising to anyone else but me they allow cameras into the High? Or did you smuggle it in?

My short ride of 12 miles last night told me 2 things- a. it was bloody hot and b. my cold was in my lungs and I helped get it out by riding. My heart rate rarely went below 150 and a couple times was in the high 160’s. I wasn’t working that hard, but after the cold, I couldn’t expect much more. I feel pretty good today.

No smuggling necessary. You can bring cameras in but you are only supposed to shoot their permanent collection, and not use flash. In fact, because I bring my “real” camera I have to sign a photographer’s disclaimer which states that I cannot use my imagery for professional purposes.

I was bloody hot (and humid) yesterday, and will be for the near future. I need to start remember to wear my heart rate monitor when I ride. I’m not going to like the numbers I see, but it will help me become a better rider (at least I hope).

Checked out the CocoaConf link – not a bad entry fee, but still a fair bit of change. If you want to spend the rest of your money on socializing rather than lodging while you are in Raleigh, the doors to the Beebe Estate are always open.